Interstate Maintenance & Upkeep

[InterBlog]

How to leak-test with the headliner still in place: take a thin absorbent cloth and cram it up in there, and see if it gets damp.

The surgical bandages came off the new windshield this morning and I did some serious leak testing, a nice 90-degree day for a spray-a-thon. All good. (The stain is from the previous leak that I had not noticed prior to the windshield replacement).

[InterBlog]

Weekend project, maybe. Does it have to be 99 degrees? Who ordered this weather?!

[Lotus54]

Where did you get them? (Part number?)

After the trip, I think the original fronts are gone. (I replaced the rear with Fox dampers not too long before leaving).
I hear they tend to last around 60k (I’m now getting close to 70k)

Mark

At 99º I’m almost comatose. WAY WAY too hot! (Notice we didn’t go through Texas on our trip)

Originally Posted by InterBlog

Weekend project, maybe. Does it have to be 99 degrees? Who ordered this weather?! Attachment 312644

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by Lotus54

Where did you get them? (Part number?)

After the trip, I think the original fronts are gone. ....

You THINK the original fronts are gone?

I KNOW the original fronts are gone.

We now have what I call "sloppy drunk Interstate". I've been gritting my teeth for a couple of months now, but we had to wait patiently (or not so patiently) for a new production run of these, as they are specific to the T1N and they were all sold out.

When LB_3 regains consciousness later this morning, I'll get the info from him. I went to Nova Scotia in part last week because he was working crazy hours and now he's catching up on sleep (in contrast, I'm still involuntarily on Atlantic time so I'm up at the butt crack of dawn).

[Mcrid]

Originally Posted by InterBlog

I’m using a common chain tire store . . .. Attachment 310393

IB, did you use D . . T . .? I'll need to be changing all 6 before the year is over so just starting to think about what tire to go with and who to use. I recall reading somewhere that the techs need to know what they are doing an have the right equipment to balance the Alcoa wheels properly. Where you satisfied with their work quality?

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by Mcrider

IB, did you use D . . T . .? ...

Yes. And I intentionally went to the one in Pasadena on Spencer Highway because:

(a) they had my exact Michelin tires IN STOCK, which means that their personnel are well-trained to install them, and

(b) given the blue-collar character of the area, they are used to dealing with work trucks generally, so I was inclined to trust them for that reason. No accidentally dropping my Interstate because it's over eight thousand pounds.

It's supposed to be a consumer franchise, but I was not inclined toward the one that is located within my tony suburb, which mostly does Corollas. You shoulda seen the likes of what got dragged into the Pasadena store. There was even a drilling rig that came in while I was there. A massive dually. They handled it all.

Edit: If you use that one, enter the rear of the property from the eastern side street and drive around to the front. The pavement inflection is too steep at the Spencer entrance. I would have tail-struck if I had tried to enter there.

[LB_3]

I ordered the struts from Race Consulting Agency: part number 87-2638

You can order them almost anywhere but nobody stocks these for T1Ns so your wait may vary. Now would be a good time to order since Koni just completed a production run in May and will likely have them in stock for a while.

If the price is competitive, Give RCA the business. After my second email they were very proactive in giving me status updates (or non-updates).

http://raceconsultingagency.com/koni.../i-229260.aspx

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by InterBlog

Weekend project, maybe. Does it have to be 99 degrees? Who ordered this weather?! Attachment 312644

I think you'll like the Koni's.

I paid a garage to install my shocks last year (and it wasn't even pushing 100 degrees then). I usually like the smell of bacon cooking, except when the smell is coming from my flesh laying on hot concrete.

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by rowiebowie

... I usually like the smell of bacon cooking, except when the smell is coming from my flesh laying on hot concrete.

That comment brings back memories of when we were making our hitch carrier. 100 degrees and LB_3 welding for hours in shorts and bare feet, flying molten metal be danged. He was born and raised here in Houston - he can do that kind of thing without dropping dead.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by InterBlog

That comment brings back memories of when we were making our hitch carrier. 100 degrees and LB_3 welding for hours in shorts and bare feet, flying molten metal be danged. He was born and raised here in Houston - he can do that kind of thing without dropping dead.

I tried something similar on Mother's Day and ended up in the hospital emergency room after passing out…

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

I tried something similar on Mother's Day and ended up in the hospital emergency room after passing out…

Sorry to hear that.

I grew up in the Summer heat & humidity of the coast, and didn't know anything else for a long time. Then came this thing called air conditioning (and age). My body now tells me to only go outside in Summer for brief periods!

[InterBlog]

Unfortunately we will not get to this Koni strut project this weekend. After working a hella 10-day stretch, LB_3 got called up to substitute for another International Space Station flight controller overnight. He's so tired that he's sleeping at Johnson Space Center right now. Doesn't even want to drive the six miles back to our home.

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by rowiebowie

....Then came this thing called air conditioning ....

Houston's motto (HT: Houstorian)

[rmkrum]

Hats off to LB_3 for being both smart and careful. Better to take a good rest than fall asleep on the road.

[Lotus54]

I ordered the Koni struts from your link (raceconsulting) and they were quite promptly shipped, with a good price.

Thanks!

Of course, now I have to fit them... Not today, since I’m planning on taking the trials bike out tomorrow- probably next week. The leveling jacks certainly make those jobs easier- built-in way to jack it up.

I got some wear on the very outer edge (just outside edge) of my right front tyre during the long trip (11k) and will also be checking for any other suspension issues. I recall the ball joints cannot be checked the standard way, so will need to read up on that again.

Thanks again!

Mark

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by Lotus54

I ordered the Koni struts from your link (raceconsulting) and they were quite promptly shipped, with a good price.
...

Mark

Whichever of us does this job first, please post tips promptly.

We may get to it before you do - hopefully this weekend. Will the existing hardware be adequate, will it be difficult to free the old ones from the chassis... these are things I do not know.

[Lotus54]

Yes, I certainly will.
I’ll try to remember to take some pics also.

My van has almost no rust anywhere (including undercarriage) and most things seem to come apart quite well. But now that I said that- probably will be a pain.

Mark

[Titus]

There is a good you-tube video on replacing the struts. It was on a 2500 chassis, and am not sure what MY. He had to remove the brake caliper to give enough clearance to remove the struts.

[InterBlog]

Why don't I give YouTube greater benefit of the doubt?! I don't know, because I should.

Here's the exact MY of Sprinter receiving the exact Koni struts. There's a few things I might do differently - e.g., he's not adequately supported IMO (no redundancy). He's also the first person I've ever heard refer to this vehicle as a "tin Sprinter", like Tin Man, instead of T1N. But generally speaking, the whole process seems to be adequately presented right here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD0tRBrgOUQ

[InterBlog]

Given the extent to which the thing must be pulled apart to replace the struts, we will probably also replace the front brakes, which are original (12 years old). Haven't decided on components for that yet.